New System Will Help Airline Improve OnBoard Services.
ECR Selected by Versilia to Supply MPOS System to Air Malta
ECR has been selected by retail logistics specialist Versilia Solutions to provide an electronic point of sale system for Air Malta’s in-flight MPoS requirements. The initiative underpins a drive by Air Malta to improve its in-flight catering experience. As part of its growth strategy which included the launch of 21 new destinations in just a year, the airline also enhanced its in-flight service and onboard operation. The first step, in July 2018, was to introduce a new, improved Economy Class in-flight catering service, which gives Air Malta passengers a choice of over 70 quality food and drink items for purchase onboard. With the new ECR technology in place, guests will also, for the first time, have the option to pay by credit card or cash.
Air Malta is running 30 ECRGo2 all-in-one handheld terminals across its fleet of A319/320 aircraft, in addition to support from ECR. The new technology, based on ECR’s AirPos software, will allow the airline to manage at-seat food and beverage requirements, as well as other items for sale, across a range of payment types. 
The new contract with Air Malta was won by ECR partner, Versilia Solutions, an independent supplier of bespoke in-flight retail solutions, which supplies airlines with their onboard food and beverage requirements, and who selected ECR as its preferred MPoS partner for this project.
Simon Pont, CEO, ECR Retail Systems said: “Working closely with Versilia Solutions, Air Malta is a very welcome addition to our rapidly-expanding airline credentials. The ECR proposition is purpose-designed in terms of both hardware and software. Our all-in-one device is more reliable than other options on the market, which are challenged by Bluetooth connectivity, pairing issues and charging problems, and can render devices unusable in-flight. Our geographical proximity to Air Malta, and the fact that our technology is proven in helping airlines to generate ancillary revenues were factors in Versilia securing this partnership with Air Malta.”
Paul Sies, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer commented: “Feedback from our passengers has shown that they wanted an even better quality and wider selection of in-flight catering. Working with Versilia Solutions and ECR, has allowed us to deliver it quickly and efficiently. With ECR’s reliable and easy-to-implement solution, we can now offer great quality and choice of food and sundries with a new range of payment options. We are very proud of our new enhanced customer experience on offer now available on Air Malta.”
The ECR MPoS terminals have been developed specifically for the onboard environment. Fully PCI compliant, they can accept multiple payment types in any number of currencies, all via the same unit. The all-in-one lightweight contactless payment device comprises a five-inch capacitive touchscreen and offers the functionality of a tablet. It includes an onboard silent thermal printer, Bluetooth, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, plus 2D scanner and accepts all types of card and mobile wallet payment including ApplePay, Google Wallet, subject to online connectivity, and multi-chargers for overnight multiple battery top-ups.
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